Summer Session Begins – June 5
May 22, 2017 | Campus News
The Summer Session begins at East Central College on Monday, June 5!
Category: Campus News
Audrey Freitag Named East Central College Outstanding Alumni in 2017
It’s hard to find a corner of the New Haven community Audrey Freitag hasn’t touched. During the week, she’s often spotted at the senior center helping serve meals. On the weekends, you might see her volunteering at a local church serving meals to people in the community at the “Friendship Plate.” Not only is she an active board member for Habitat for Humanity, she played a part in the first home ever built in the community. In fact, she still checks up on the family to make sure they are doing well.
“Habitat for Humanity does so much good stuff,” she told The Senior Life Times in a 2015 feature story about her life. “They’re trying to help people stand on their own two feet, they’re not trying to take care of somebody. It’s like, ‘Let us help you get started.’”
Audrey’s endless compassion, selflessness and determination are felt in everything she does, and it’s why she was chosen as the 2017 East Central College Outstanding Alumni. The award is presented annually to honor an ECC graduate who has used his or her education and been of service to the community.
Helping others has always been a calling for Audrey. In 1958, Audrey attended the Deaconess School of Nursing. A year later, she received her LPN from the Missouri State Nursing Association. However, shortly after getting her license, a young farmer swept her off her feet. That man, Wayne, later became her husband of 57 years until his passing in 2015. Audrey decided to put her career on hold to raise a family with Wayne. They ended up having four amazing children, who now have 13 children of their own, at the family’s dairy farm in New Haven, Missouri.
Some 17 years later, Audrey went back to her love of nursing. She found a position at St. Francis Hospital in Washington (which later became Mercy Hospital), where she found her calling in behavioral health. As her children started to graduate from college, she started to reflect on her dreams and aspirations. Audrey realized she wanted continue her education with a bachelor’s degree in nursing with the reward of becoming a Registered Nurse.
East Central College, having a partnership with Central Methodist University, was right in her backyard. She enrolled in classes at ECC more than three decades after she started her journey in nursing, and it wasn’t easy. Audrey had to start from scratch – taking history, English, science and math – to get into the nursing program. Her hard work paid off. She graduated in from ECC in 1993 and finished her degree at CMU in 1996. She continued her career with the Mercy Hospital system until her retirement in 2013.
Throughout her entire life, putting other people’s needs first has been her priority. For more than two decades, Audrey has traveled to Honduras to help those less fortunate than herself. Through the Washington Overseas Mission, she has used her East Central College nursing skills to perform women’s wellness checkups, assist with dental procedures, help distribute medicine and provide care for people thousands of miles away.
“We go down there and we meet the neatest people,” she said in The Senior Life Times interview. “These people don’t have any access to medical care, and we do what we can for them.”
Locally, she serves on the East Central College Foundation Board, is an active member in the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO), New Haven Preservation Society, Mercy Auxiliary and a former member of the St. Peters Church Council. She somehow still manages to find time to attend R-2 school board meetings, volunteer at the Mercy Cancer Center and Prison Ministry and cycle in her free time with the “Folks on Spokes” group!
Dr. Jon Bauer made the presentation at college commencement ceremonies held Saturday, May 20, at the campus in Union.
The East Central College Alumni Association established the award in 2002 to recognize outstanding alumni who have set an example for ECC graduates by using their college education and serving their community. Past recipients include: Tanya Voss, John Griesheimer, Tom Robertson, Chris Manhart, Deborah Koelling, Tammy Watz, Dr. Frank Miller, Ken Schmidt, Chris Stuckenschneider, Ann Schroeder, Ted Coburn, Linda Mahon, Joe Purschke, Amy Wildhaber, Tony Kreutz and Dave Arand.
Zora Mulligan to Speak at 47th Annual Spring Commencement
May 15, 2017 | Campus News
Zora Mulligan will speak at the 47th Annual East Central College Spring Commencement on Saturday, May 20. Mulligan was appointed Commissioner of Higher Education by the Coordinating Board for Higher Education in August 2016.
“We are very excited to have Commissioner Mulligan at commencement this year,” said East Central College President Dr. Jon Bauer. “Zora knows the importance our college plays in moving our community forward. She is a highly respected leader in the capitol and around the state.”
Mulligan served as assistant commissioner, general counsel and legislative liaison for the Missouri Department of Higher Education from 2007 to 2010. During that time, she participated in the development of the state’s coordinated plan for higher education; assisted in establishing policies to implement landmark higher education legislation, including a new need-based financial aid program; and conducted a review of the state’s public college and university facilities to develop a process for prioritizing capital projects.
Mulligan served as the executive director of the Missouri Community College Association (MCCA) from 2010 to 2014. MCCA represents Missouri’s 12 community colleges, provides professional development opportunities for community college employees at all levels, and assists community college leaders in developing consensus on shared issues. During her tenure, Mulligan secured $50 million in federal grants for job training programs, successfully lobbied for a special appropriation from the state general assembly to provide community colleges with more equitable funding, and increased individual and organizational membership in the association.
From 2014 to 2106, Mulligan was the chief of staff for the University of Missouri System. In that role, she advised the president, coordinated activities that involved multiple departments within the system office and multiple campuses within the four-campus system, and assisted with the ongoing implementation of the system’s strategic plan.
Mulligan holds bachelor’s degrees in political science and psychology from Drury University and a master’s degree in education and a Juris Doctor from the University of Kansas.
Commencement will be held on the East Central College Union campus, 1964 Prairie Dell Road, at 11:30 a.m.
Student Literary and Art Review Now on Sale!
May 10, 2017 | Campus News
The end of another academic year is upon us! To help students, staff and faculty reflect upon the year, several departments come together to publish the annual literary and art review.
Titled “Works of Prey,” this year’s edition features poetry, art, fiction, non-fiction, research and photography by East Central College students. It also includes winners from the Fall 2016 and Spring 2017 Writing Contests.
Issues are now available for the $5 in the Union campus library.
“I would like to thank our student editor, Israel Neely and all those helped put this together and those who submitted their hard work,” said ECC English instructor Josh Stroup. “I must also give a big thank you to Leigh Kolb, Ann Boehmer, Adam Watkins, Jennifer Higerd, Sean Barton and Courtney Henrichsen for helping to make this important opportunity a reality for our students.”
For more information, email Josh Stroup – josh.stroup@eastcentral.edu.
East Central College NEA Honors Local Teachers Making a Difference
Educators have a profound effect on students in many capacities. However, they aren’t always thanked for their hard work and dedication.
“I sometimes assign students to write about their educational experiences,” said East Central College English Instructor Sue Henderson. “In conversations we have about their papers, students often mention teachers who have had a positive influence on them. When I ask if they have ever let their teachers know that, the answer is usually ‘no.’”
Henderson set out to change that. As president of the National Education Association (NEA) ECC chapter, she created the “Inspirers of Excellence” Award in 2017.
“We posed a challenge to our students,” she said. “We wanted to know what teacher had an impact on their lives. Who inspired you to do your best? Are you here at ECC because a teacher encouraged you along the way?”
The response was amazing, and 25 teachers were selected for the award!
2017 “Inspirers of Excellence” Award Winners:
- Andrew Eggert, St. Francis Borgia
- Nathan Caldwell, St. Francis Borgia
- Natalie Martin, Maries R-1 Vienna
- Jamie Hoener, New Haven High School
- Melissa Schwab, New Haven (former teacher)
- Donna Hinson, Owensville
- Dale Long, Owensville
- Shannon Englebrecht, Rolla
- Lea Hickerson, Rolla
- Benn Martin, St. Clair
- Matt Wiegers, Sullivan
- Mary Weidenhaft, Sullivan (retired)
- Mary Jane John, Sullivan
- Ashley Crump, Sullivan
- Doug Rice, Union
- Cassie Rice, Union
- Josh Hall, Union
- Heidi Wildt, Warrenton
- Michael Shaw, Warrenton
- Tim Rinne, Washington
- Jennifer Baker, Washington
- Christy Clark, Washington (former teacher)
- Tricia Holm, Washington
- Tom Haas, Washington
- Andres Jackson, MICDS
Teachers were notified of the award in May, and they will each receive a certificate acknowledging the achievement. The award corresponded with National Teacher Appreciation Week and National Teacher Appreciation Day.
Picture: ECC NEA member DeAnna Cassat presents the “Inspirers of Excellence” Award to Andrew Eggert and Nathan Caldwell at St. Francis Borgia High School.
Three Named “Faculty Emeritus” at Board Meeting
Thomas Dill, Vincent Niehaus and Kathleen Rust have been named Faculty Emeritus by the East Central College Board of Trustees.
The designation is an academic tradition intended to recognize the lasting impact of outstanding members of the faculty.
“The faculty being recommended represent an important part of the East Central College story,” said Dr. Robert Mahon, co-chair of the ECC Rank and Promotion Committee. “Their work in the classroom benefited countless students over many years.”
Honorees receive the title of Faculty Emeritus included in all college publications and materials, the option to attend commencement in full academic regalia, are eligible for tuition waivers for credit courses, get an invitation to campus social activities, receive a certificate noting the Emeritus appointment, receive a placement of their name on a plaque in a prominent location on campus, receive a campus identification card nothing the status and get an ECC email address
Whalen Named Adult Education and Literacy Advocacy Group President-Elect
May 3, 2017 | Campus News
East Central College Adult Education and Literacy Director Alice Whalen has been named President-Elect of the Missouri Adult Education and Literacy Administrator’s Association (MAELAA).
The statewide network of Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) Program Directors is dedicated to the advancement of adult education through high-quality services and professionalism in the field.
“Nearly 750,000 people ages 25 and older have less than a high school diploma in Missouri,” said Whalen. “Increased education can have a large economic impact for an individual, but also for a community.”
That increased education, says Whalen, leads to increased wages – impacting poverty rates, welfare participation, unemployment, healthcare costs, prison recidivism and tax revenues at both the state and national level.
“Public awareness is always a challenge,” Whalen said. “Adult education and literacy is a widespread problem that often hides in the shadows. We hope to really bring it to light in the near future.”
Whalen will begin her term May 9. Former President-Elect Ann McCauley, Moberly Area Community College, will take over as President of the organization at that time.
MAELAA supports Adult Education and Literacy legislation on local, state and national levels. It collaborates and provides assistance in developing Adult Education and Literacy programs, priorities, guidelines and regulations.
ECC Art and Design Student Exhibition Reception Rescheduled
May 3, 2017 | Campus News
Each year, East Central College ends the school year by visiting a showcase of works by its art students. Chosen from numerous entries, the works in the show were selected because of their quality and the ideas engaged in the work.
The reception has been rescheduled for May 10 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Come join us to celebrate the accomplishments of our students at the ECC Art Gallery located in Hansen Hall, room 121!
The reception was originally scheduled for May 4.
ECC Open Wednesday, May 3
May 2, 2017 | Campus News
Classes will be in session Wednesday, May 3 at all locations. Any student or employee unable to reach campus due to flooding needs to contact his or her faculty/supervisor about an absence.
A student will not be penalized for missing class tomorrow due to the flooding emergency.
The safety of our students and staff are a priority and each is encouraged to use alternative routes to prevent flooded roadways.
Community Colleges Uncover the Problems with Missouri’s Workforce
April 27, 2017 | Campus News
A report released on April 27 by the Missouri Community College Association outlined three problems with Missouri’s workforce and highlighted several ongoing efforts to address these issues.
The report listed supply and demand gaps for key industries, the availability of middle-skill workers, and the availability of adequate soft skills as the top three gaps in the state’s workforce today. The report cited a number of different studies which analyzed both labor market data, job ads, and employer feedback.
“Employers have said for a while now that the availability of a skilled workforce is the number one challenge that they face,” Rob Dixon, Missouri Community College President and CEO said. “With this report, we wanted to dig deeper and find the specific skills that employers are having difficulty finding.”
According to research reviewed by the association, there is a gap between the number of jobs available and the number of job seekers in several key industries. Health care, business and sales and science and technology each had more than a 9 percent gap between the number of job ads posted in 2016 and the number of registered job seekers.
The second gap outlined in the report had to do with the number of workers qualified to fill jobs that require more than high school but less than a four-year degree. The research reviewed showed that these “middle-skill” jobs make up 53 percent of the labor market, but only 46 percent of Missourians are trained to this level.
“There are nearly 6,500 manufacturing facilities that need highly skilled workers statewide,” said East Central College President Dr. Jon Bauer. “In Franklin County alone, there are more than four times the manufacturing establishments than any other county in the East Central College service region. The programs and degrees we offer are tailored for these types of jobs and careers.”
Lastly, the report highlighted research demonstrating gaps in the availability of workers with basic soft skills, such as communication, work ethic and critical thinking. In one study that was referenced, more than 60 percent of employers reported difficulty finding workers with adequate soft skills.
“Soft skills are extremely important in the workplace,” said HVAC instructor David DeArmond. “We instill a certain set of values in our students–integrity, respect and accountability.”
The report comes as Missouri’s community colleges are launching several new initiatives, including the new Workforce Development Network, announced last month.
“We know that these gaps exist, and our colleges are working to address them,” Dixon said. “One of the biggest challenges that we face in implementing these solutions is raising awareness among the public.”
Dixon was optimistic that Missouri can close the gaps in the workforce, but referenced one major challenge.
“There are high paying jobs to be had for workers without a four-year degree,” Dixon said. “We need Missourians to understand that, and we need them to enroll at a community college.”
Missouri’s community colleges specialize in workforce development and provide associate degrees and certificate programs. They serve as Missouri’s lead institutions in delivering postsecondary technical education in partnership with area vocational technical schools.